How to Give Your Child a Headstart in Music

Maybe you’ve been playing your child Beethoven since they were in the womb, or maybe you want them to develop the musical talent you never could. Either way, when it comes to your child’s musical education, you want to make sure you’re giving them the best opportunities.

By making music an enjoyable part of your youngster’s daily life, you will instill in them a long-term appreciation of this art – even if they don’t go on to become the next musical prodigy. Read on to discover our tried-and-tested tips for introducing your young ones to music for a great headstart.

Start Young

Kids start to respond to music as early as between 1 and 3 years old. At this age, they respond best when they actively participate, so look for songs that encourage motion and a basic understanding of tempo, like “The Wheels on the Bus.” You can easily incorporate actions like clapping, jumping, and moving in time to their other favorite tunes, too.

Although children can start music lessons at any age and enjoy great success, 7 years old seems to be the cut-off point for ideal brain and motor skills development. If your child can start musical training before they turn 7, they will develop stronger connections between the regions of the brain associated with motor skills and movement, which will enhance their accuracy and precision when playing.

Make It Fun

While strict discipline may work for some things, it doesn’t appear to help with encouraging an interest in music. Think about it: how many kids throw tantrums before their music lessons?

Pleasurable activities have a positive impact on the brain, while stressful ones can actually encourage a stress hormone that can damage developing brains. There are many ways of playing and learning music; independently or in groups, with different instruments, and with varying degrees of professionalism. Let your child explore the world of music so they can choose what they find most enjoyable. Ultimately, they’ll get more out of the experience.

Create Instruments

You don’t have to choose an instrument off the rack when you start introducing your child to music.

Making your own instruments is an exciting way to enhance your young musician’s creativity and sensitivity to different sounds. From banging on pots and pans, to singing water glasses, everyday household items can be turned into instruments for a fun family game with an educational twist.

Travel the World

Listening to music from different cultures lets you and your child travel the world together without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

It’s a great opportunity to pique your kid’s interest in the possibilities of music, which extend far beyond traditional music lessons. If your musician is more mature, playing foreign music also allows them to try to identify new instruments. They may be familiar with the guitar, but have they ever heard a sitar? Activities like this encourage exploration and continued learning. What’s more, it can inspire your child to learn an unusual instrument that might appeal to them more than the instruments their friends play.

Play Your Tunes

As a parent, you are you child’s first teacher – and that applies in music, too.

Even if you can’t play any instruments yourself, chances are there are bands or genres that you like listening to. Share your enthusiasm with your child and play them your favorite music from an early age. By showing them your joy and passion for music, you’re sure to awaken your kid’s curiosity and offer them an opportunity to share an interest with you.

With these tips, you’ll be able to nurture your child’s love of music and help them narrow down their musical interests. Once they’ve found their calling, there’s a good chance they’ll want to start studying music.